I've not heard either, and usually that stops me from posting, but I've got to say that I've not heard good things about mlx mics. But I did hear a lot of things good about the KSM 44, that it was a good utility mic a jack of all trades so to speak. I've heard of people using two as overheads, and using one on acoustic guitar, and on vocals (but I don't know that this would be a first choice in a big (bigger than mine) mic locker).

What do you want to record? That is always what you want to know, a mic is no better than the purpose it serves, I love the SM 81, but it's not going in front of a vocalist until about many many mics get shot down before it. It might get infront of an acoustic guitar faster than I can put it there if it gets trained any better.

I've got a KSM44 and a MXL V69 and if I had to give one of them up..I'd keep the KSM44 I use 'em for overheads, acoustic guit{in a sparse mix}and sometimes for vox{it messes up nicely with the Great River}..Its more versitile..The MXL isn't a bad mic though just not as vers. as the 44 IMHO

I was really impressed and surprised to be so with the v69. I'm actually getting two. The studio I work at has two as well. They have an incredible mic cab (Telefunken Elam 251, M47, M9, U67, U99, etc.) and two of the other, very respectable engineers like it as well. Though I haven't heard the KSM44.

Let me say Ialso I don't think it's GREAT mic, but a very good value. It hangs well with the big boys. That's been my experience anyway. Good utility mic. A little dark and colored.

Andy, as you may know, it's best to try microphones out personally first before buying. Try to find a dealer with a liberal return policy if that isn't an option. There are many other fine mic's besides the two you mentioned, and some are not condensers.

Chris